So Sunday we looked at one of the biggest or at least one of the most exciting moments found in our entire Bibles. It’s the moment where the Israelites find themselves in a really difficult spot. Where they find themselves stuck between the desert, the sea, and a very angry Egyptian Army who want to kill them but it leads to this incredible moment where God parts the Red Sea and they all get to walk through on dry land, then the sea swallows up the Egyptians as the children of Israel simply stand and watch, and grasp just how powerful God is. It’s an amazing moment for sure.
I have told you that as we read our Bibles, we want to do so with a mentality, and that there is something in there for us to grab hold of and learn from and apply right into our lives…even in crazy that happened so long ago, with amazing moments like this story has!
Look I understand that you probably haven’t been led on a journey by a pillar of could in the day, and a pillar of fire by night…I get that you probably have never found yourself stuck between a sea, the desert, and biggest baddest army that you could possibly imagine…but I do believe that each and every one of us finds ourselves in difficult spots in life…spots where we feel stuck. Often feeling like our backs are against the wall, and we just don’t know what to do…well, this is why I was drawn to those two very specific verses in Exodus 14, because I believe Moses gives us not only some encouragement but some insight into how we can handle difficult moments in our own life…do you remember what He said?
Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
What really stood out to me, and the thing I wanted to really focus on as we spoke this past Sunday was that phrasing…stand firm, be still. You don’t have to be afraid, stand firm, be still, and let God do what God does…I love that.
So this week we are going to look at a few other places in Scripture where we find that same phrasing, I went with three from the phrase “stand firm”…and two from the phrase “be still”…I thought this would be a lot of fun.
I’d like to start with the phrasing “stand firm”, and today we will be looking at Ephesians 6:11, this is a popular area where Paul is talking to us about the armor of God. So, if you have a Bible and maybe something to write with grab it, and we will get started.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. NLT
This is the verse we are focused on today, but just to help us grasp it let’s add a verse or two around it.
Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. NLT
Now I would like to ask you some questions, so let’s slow down and take the time to reflect intentionally on this verse and these questions.
- What can you take from this passage in the moments where you find yourself in a diffiult spot?
- Why would Paul tell us we must be strong in the Lord, where God’s armor, and stand firm against the devil’s schemes? What does that imply?
- Do you walk through life intentionally, with the understanding that you are living in a world at war with an enemy who wants to take you out? Do you see any implications to not living with this mindset?
Before you move on from this moment, take some time and pray, talk to your Heavenly Father about what it looks like to turn to God, and to find strength in Him and hopefully you can keep reflecting on this verse as you go about your day. Grab the image from social media, put it on your phone and keep centering on it, especially if you are struggling in life or find yourself with your back against the wall, keep coming back to these words from Paul.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. NLT